Truly blockbuster stuff, and a wine that will compete with the ’99 when it’s at full maturity, the 2010 C?te R?tie C?te Blonde gave up a spectacular array of sweet red and black raspberry, cassis, violets and underbrush. A full-bodied, impeccably balanced, yet concentrated and massive C?te R?tie, it has world-class tannin quality, a stacked mid-palate and blockbuster length. It will need another decade to show some maturity, and hold nicely through 2040.

A wine of great intensity, the 2010 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde exhibits abundant notes of flowers, raspberry liqueur, kirsch, cedar and forest floor, silky tannins and a long finish. It should drink well for 10-15 years, as the silkiness of this wine is incredibly appealing. (Not yet released)Rene Rostaing’s elegant style is well-displayed in both 2010 and the riper, more fleshy, exuberant 2009 vintage. Always the sexiest wine in Rostaing’s cellar is the Cote Rotie Cote Blonde. It includes 3-4% co-fermented Viognier and is always the most seamless wine resembling haute couture.Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484